The Top 20 Distance Learning Universities In The World
Online learning peaked in popularity as a vital learning medium during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued, given its potential and manifold advantages. From enabling students in conflict zones or those living in areas with challenges of accessibility to continue their educational pursuits to allowing professionals to commit to lifelong learning, online learning has become indispensable in today's volatile era.
Online education has proffered the opportunity to fit academic pursuits around one's busy life. It offers the flexibility one needs to achieve their goals. From seamlessly juggling multiple commitments to gaining tech-savvy edges essential in today's digital-intensive world, online learning is a solid alternative.
However, not every online learning platform is as impactful or meets the standard of quality. With the multiplicity of online education institutions, it's hard to identify the best ones that could deliver quality education. For individuals exploring the options of continuing their higher education online, here is a detailed guide on the best universities that offer online degrees.
Top 20 Universities Offering Online Degrees
1. Harvard University: The university needs no introduction. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is a world-renowned private Ivy League university with a reputation for excellent research. It is where every ambitious student covets and wishes to enter. The university boasts a robust research infrastructure and has track records of making impactful and remarkable contributions to the advancements of society across diverse fields. Under its Harvard Online structure, the university offers curated online courses by combining faculty and disciplines from across the university. This platform is known to connect learners around the world with the most pressing issues. Apart from the major full-length degree programs, there are over 600 courses available at Harvard online free of cost. At Harvard, the most prominent courses include history, legal studies and applied sciences. The Harvard online courses are an excellent opportunity for aspiring students to get the taste of an Ivy League school, without the constraints of time and location. At Harvard, students will get to explore various online programs across different fields including the following:
Art & Design
Business
Computer Science
Data Science
Education & Teaching
Health & Medicine
Humanities
Mathematics
Programming
Science
Social Sciences
Theology
2. Columbia University: Another Ivy League school, Columbia University is among the world's key centres of research. Lying in New York City, the university offers a distinctive and distinguished learning environment across diverse academic and professional fields. With a distinguished and long-established history in the discovery of knowledge, the university also have impressive online courses through its Columbia Online platform. Columbia Online serves as a central resource for everyone including faculty, staff, students and alumni to access online initiatives of the university, be it courses, programs or tools. The platform also serves as a hub for sharing best practices in using digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning. The online degree programs are available across different schools and partner institutes offering MOOCs. The university's schools/departments that offer online degree programs and nondegree programs are:
Columbia University Law School
Earth Institute
Columbia University Medical Center
Columbia Business School
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
School of Social Work
School of Professional Studies
School of Engineering and Applied Science-Columbia Video Network
3. European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT): One of the most advanced and highly acclaimed institutions that offers top online degree programs is the European Institute of Management and Technology. With Campuses in France, Switzerland and now up and coming in Germany, the Institution is among the forerunners of offering quality online education. Established with the prime objective to enable quality education accessible to students across the globe, the institution offers online degree programs. EIMT boasts of offering a comprehensive and multidisciplinary learning approach that surpasses conventional academic boundaries and focuses on shaping forward-thinking and innovative minds. For individuals looking for an undisputed learning opportunity online, particularly in the fields of applied science and management, EIMT online programs fit the bill. The online degree programs and other short-term certification courses are designed to ensure the study programs fit into the daily schedule of the students. EIMT is distinctive in its method of offering a fully personalized and individual-paced learning path, which meets modern-day professional goals. At EIMT, there are a range of degree programs starting from bachelor's degrees up to doctoral degrees along with several other certification courses in various fields. The major online degree programs available at EIMT are:
Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
Doctorate in Computer Science
Master of Business Administration
Executive Master of Business Administration
Postgraduate Diploma In Management
Postgraduate Certificate In Management
Bachelor in Computer Science
Bachelor of Business Administration
4. Birchwood University: Another top university that offers high-quality online degree programs with specialization in Management and technology. Students desiring to earn a specialized degree in emerging technologies will find Birchwood University an excellent space for not just earning a degree but mastering key skills that will equip them for a transformed workspace. Based in Orlando, Florida, Birchwood University offers fully accelerated online degree programs offering flexibility to students and professionals to earn their degrees without halting their other obligations. Known as a global online university, Birchwood practices a focused approach to education by concentrating on key domains driving the future. The university with its industry collaborators makes concerted efforts to curate industry-relevant programs and prepare students to be adaptive solution-oriented professionals. At Birchwood University, students can find programs across different degree levels. The core degree programs are:
5. University of Edinburgh: Another one of the world's top universities, this university has consistently stood among the global world rankings of the top 50. Located in Edinburgh, Scotland, the university offers online learning opportunities at postgraduate levels, including master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas and certificates, enabling students across the globe to study around their existing commitments. It also offers short online courses through its MOOCs, allowing any interested individual to take up the course, follow a self-directed study and access course materials. The MOOCs online forum helps any learners with any course-related queries. The University of Edinburgh currently offers over 300 taught master's programs and over 70 online courses, along with 180 research studies. They have a range of study programs students can choose from, suiting their career objectives. The major domains are
Medicine Degrees
Applied Science
Social Sciences
Law Degrees
6. Johns Hopkins University: With over 88 fully online degree programs, Johns Hopkins University is another one of the top places you can rely on for your online degree programs. Renowned as America's first research university, you can be sure of earning a high-quality degree from here. They also offer free online courses through a range of partners. The university removes the barriers of location and finance by offering a variety of online degree programs and courses, some for a small cost, and some for free through its partner institutes.
Applied Economics
Applied and Computational Mathematics
Engineering/ Applied Biomedical Engineering
Biotechnology
Medical Science
Education
Public Health
Computer Sciences
Natural Sciences
Art and Music
Humanities
International Studies
7. Boston University: Boston University is known for offering award-winning online degree programs and courses, enabling students from around the world to continue pursuing their educational goals and earn a college degree from Boston University. Promising a world-class faculty, students are given easy accessibility to connect with their teachers, supportive staff, driven and ambitious peers and excellent academic programs. The online degree programs are designed to provide students with specialized skills in the most competitive industries. Boston University's innovative approach to distance learning can be a great choice for completing your degree. The various levels of study programs are available across varied subjects, the major domains include:
Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
Business
8. American University: One of the best universities catering to students at a global level through online learning is the American University. The university offers an engaging digital learning environment, fostering student participation, discussion and personalized attention. American University places a premium on student involvement as an integral part of the online learning process. Offering a curriculum that challenges students to blend their theoretical learning with real-world experiences, the university ensures honing critical skills and making students become agile thinkers. The programs are taught by the same professors who teach at the campus. Hence, students can expect uncompromised quality of training. Some of the popular fields of study available at the American University are:
Master of Science in Data Science
Master of Science in Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security
Master’s in Strategic Communication
Graduate Certificate in Nutrition Education
9. University of Manchester: Ranking as the 34th best university in the world, the University of Manchester offers both online and blended learning to ensure students gain an edge in their careers. All the online degree programs are delivered and assessed online. Students can choose from the fixed or flexible duration option which fits their schedule and personal goals. Offering online group work as part of the program, students are also given the chance to collaborate and network with professionals and peers who share similar interests. Students can choose their area/program of study from a range of subjects, including the following:
Business and Leadership
Chemistry
Criminology
Digital
Education
Engineering
Environment
Health
International Development
Law
Science
10. MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Providing free access to its top quality and innovative programs, MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, another world-renowned institution offers Open Learning through its edX or MITxOnline platforms. Courses. While some of the courses are free and the materials are available for easy access, some courses may require students to pay small costs along with completing additional assessments. The MITx is acclaimed for having millions of learners from around the world. There are numerous courses from which learners can choose and access. If you are looking for certification of your learning, fulfilling their mandated program requirements.
11. Arizona State University: Another treasure trove for those seeking advanced online degree programs. Arizona State University offers new academic solutions to help students support their journey. The programs claim to offer skills vital in today's job market. The university's specialized learning approach with impactful results. There are over a hundred online degrees and certificates that students can access at the ASU online. The core domains offered by the university include:
Business
Education
Engineering
Health and Nursing
Humanities and Arts
Law and Public Service
Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Technology
12. University of Birmingham: Offering a hundred per cent online degrees, the University of Birmingham is another top institution that will fulfil your need to pursue an educational degree without having to relocate. The university offers career-centred and internationally focused online degree programs taught by experts. To ensure flexibility and to be accommodating of the needs of the students in terms of time and space, the University of Birmingham leverages the latest digital learning techniques. The program curriculum and features are developed with standards similar to those of on-campus programs. The online degree programs are available at the master's level, as well as certifications and other short courses. The programs promise to equip students with the tools to accelerate their skills and enhance their career potential. The postgraduate online programs at the University of Birmingham include:
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science in International Management
Masters of Public Administration (MPA)
LLM in Environmental and Energy Law
Master of Science in Bioinformatics
Master of Science in Mental Health
13. Georgia Institute of Technology: Offering 13 online Master's degrees and other graduate certificate courses under the Georgia Tech Online platform, the Georgia Institute of Technology is among the finest institutes that offer online degree programs at a fraction of the cost of the programs on campus. To ensure it delivers world-class programs to its students worldwide, Georgia Tech partners with some of the leading providers of online learning platforms. The Georgia Tech online programs are built on the same rigour as on-campus programs and offer STEM and leadership capabilities for a competitive edge in their fields. Students and teaching faculty engage in media-rich digital learning tools for high-quality and rigorous online degree courses. Georgia Tech Online is the most preferred choice of working professionals, particularly for the convenience of program delivery and its excellence. The programs offered by Georgia Tech online, include:
Aerospace Engineering
Analytics
Applied Systems Engineering
Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Manufacturing Leadership
Master of Science in International Security
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Physics
Occupational Safety and Health
Operations Research
14. University of Glasgow: The University of Glasgow, situated in Scotland, is reputed to have played a remarkable role in shaping educational institutions across the globe for over five centuries. It is also one of the top 100 universities around the world, with a major focus on research. The university today offers several online postgraduate programs, micro-credential courses and MOOCs. Not only providing degree programs but the University of Glasgow also provides an excellent opportunity for upskilling and developing careers for ambitious students and professionals through its micro-credential certification programs. Its status as one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world and its history of the Scottish Enlightenment period in the 18th century makes it a highly respectable and revered establishment not just in Europe, but around the world.
The online degree programs offered by Glasgow include the following:
Academic Practice
Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing
Animal Nutrition
Clinical Critical Care
Creative Writing
Data Analytics
Education
Educational Leadership
End-of-Life Studies
Global Gender History
Global Mental Health
Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
Health Services Management
Health-Professions Education / Health-Professions Education
Infant Mental Health
Laboratory Management
Leadership & Learning
Marketing
One Health & Infectious Disease
Palliative Care
Positive Behaviour Support
Psychology
Public Health
Sport & Exercise Science & Medicine
15. University of Sheffield: Another university making it to the best places for online degree programs is the University of Sheffield, based in Sheffield, Tennessee, having a global reputation for excellence. The online degree programs at Sheffield give students access to globally renowned academics and materials for innovative learning. The programs at the University of Sheffield focus on research. With a huge community of students and faculty members, students will experience a world-class learning path. In addition to the curricular learning, students can expect to gain supportive, personalized skills training, and careers advice from experts. The online degree programs are also a great opportunity to become a part of the innovative and collaborative group of researchers from across disciplines at Sheffield. The University of Sheffield online degree programs are available across the following domains:
Education
Health and medicine, health technology
Mathematics
Music
Library and information management
16. University of Texas at Austin: With the goal to attain excellence in research and public service across different levels of education from undergraduate to graduate, the University of Texas in Austin is another eminent place to earn your degree online. The university boasts superior and comprehensive degree programs starting from the bachelor's to doctoral level, along with special professional educational programs and levels. The courses are developed in a simulative and enhanced - like real-life through the use of advanced technology, creative, tools and high-quality media production. Besides lectures, the programs also include discussions, chats, labs, expert guest lectures, polls, demos, student panels and many more. The tools used in the online programs are custom-designed to support student interaction, active performance and secure assessment. The online degree programs available at the University of Texas at Austin are in the areas of
Engineering
Computer Science
Humanities
17. University of Leeds: Another one of the top 100 universities in the world, the University of Leeds offers its globally renowned teaching and research opportunities across the globe through its online courses. The University offers online master's degrees and other market-demand postgraduate diplomas and certificates, enabling flexibility for learners around their work, family and professional commitments. Earning a Leeds degree online is a terrific opportunity for students around the world. The online degree programs at the University of Leeds are designed to meet the needs of students pursuing their academics online. The programs are designed jointly by academics and teaching specialists, and aimed at delivering a fulfilling learning experience for students. Earning a Leeds degree online will open up opportunities to further your career anywhere in the world. Your online program at Leeds will also give you access to not only top-quality training but also a wealth of top digital resources and support from leading academics. At the University of Leeds, you will find online degree programs in the following areas:
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science (Statistics)
Disability Studies, Rights and Inclusion
Engineering Management
Genomic Medicine with Data Science
Sustainable Business Leadership
18. University of Southampton: Standing tall among the world's top 100 universities, the University of Southampton is another top provider of online courses not only limited to degree programs but also extends to MOOCs. The university believes in a forward-thinking approach and focuses on cutting-edge research. The learning and advanced research at the university are known to bring impactful contributions to global societies across oceanography, engineering, computer science, medicine and sustainable energy. Apart from degree programs, the university also offers short-term courses. The online degree programs are available at different levels in the following areas:
MBA Degrees
Psychology Degrees
Teaching Degrees
IT & Computer Science Degrees
Data Science Degrees
PGCE (Education)
Software Engineering Degrees
Business & Management Degrees
19. University of Sydney: The University of Sydney offers a good opportunity for enthusiastic learners worldwide to join their community of leaders. Through their online degree programs, students are allowed to join their cohort with a DNA of progressive thinking, going beyond convention, challenging the status quo and working towards improving the world. The University gives students around the world access to their top-class degree programs to empower them with the professional skills and expertise they need to pursue their career goals and passion as forward-thinking and ethical leaders. The major programs include:
Master of Data Science
Master of Project and Program Management
Master of Cybersecurity
Master of Data Analytics
20. Monash University: Last, but not least, is the globally renowned Monash University, based in Australia. The university is known for its modern and research-intensive approach and a reputation for offering excellent research and education, not just in Australia but across the Indo-Pacific. With a record of making a positive impact in multiple areas, including advocacy of healthy communities, climate change mitigation and allaying geopolitical insecurity. At Monash University, aspiring students can look out for their online degree programs and courses in the following areas:
Analytics
Business
Education
Business Management
Health
Information Technology
Marketing and Digital Communications
Project Management
Psychology
Those are the world's top 20 universities catering to the needs and demands of online students around the world.
